Inuyasha and the gang don't belong to me, they belong to the lovely Rumiko Takahashi. And i'm only saying this once! I mean, why must i remind myself of this cruel situation? You feel my pain don't you? This is a Sesskag, and if you don't like Sesskag you will soon, trust me.
Rocking around the Christmas Tree
at the Christmas party hop
Mistletoe hung where you can see
Ev'ry couple tries to stop
…
Mom! Souta! Grandpa! I'm off! Merry Christmas! Kagome loved this time of year. Sure, it was a Western holiday but it represented something universal, the giving of gifts to loved ones.
You will get a sentimental feelin' when you hear…
Bye Kagome! Take care dear!
Bye Sis!
Use those sutras I gave you to ward off those pesky demons Kagome!
"Sure grandpa! Bye! Urgh! It'll be a miracle if I fit down the well this time."
Voices singin' lets be jolly, Deck the halls with boughs of holly!
Kagome made her way to the well with great difficulty, considering her bag was now overflowing with so many presents she wouldn't be surprised if children started flagging her down and asking where Rudolph was. The presents had seemed so small when she bought them one at a time…
Rocking around the Christmas Tree
Have a happy holiday
Everyone's dancing merrily
In a new old fashioned way
Inuyasha was actually being thoughtful and hadn't come to bother her all weekend. She had desperately needed some half-demon-free family time, and since Inuyasha was the biggest Scrooge she'd ever met, and didn't understand what no peeking meant, she told him she'd come back on her own. She was proud he had honored her wishes this time.
Ok, so she had threatened to sit him until a black hole formed if he came looking for her and "accidentally" saw his gift, but he didn't have to take her seriously.
Right. Ok, so he never took her seriously. She had a feeling Kikyo had something to do with his obedience. She seemed to have quite the big leash on him as it was. Yes, Kikyo had joined up with them, along with Sesshomaru's group surprisingly. She didn't mind Kikyou at all now. Actually, her Kikyo and Sango had kind of formed quite the sisterly bond. And with Kouga's pack popping in every once in a while, she actually felt like they were all a big family of sorts.
She cringed at thinking of what the demon lord would say if she told everyone that.
She was about to jump in, more like crawl, but visions of her bag getting stuck in the well opening and her dangling there until Inuyasha eventually came to find her made her rethink her plan of action.
Kagome proceeded to stuff that giant knapsack down the well and then jump in after it.
Thank Kami she had received some schooling before stumbling upon the Feudal Era.
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"Achoo! Achoo! ACHOOOO!"
Sango smirked. "Bless you, Monk." The irony of that statement and Miroku's current predicament had Inuyasha and Shippo howling with laughter. Even Kikyou was politely giggling not too far away.
The perverted Monk had fallen ill and Sango was grateful for his inability to religiously grope her behind. For some reason every time he tried, a giant sneeze got in the way of his goal. Must be that Chissy-mass miracle or whatever, that Kagome has been talking about. Sango proceeded to enjoy the fire's warmth as Kirara and Shippo played on the hut floor.
"Um…Lady Sango?"
Sango looked down at the young girl who was tugging at her kimono sleeve.
"Yes Rin", she answered with a smile.
"When is Lord Sesshomaru coming back? And where is Miss Kagome? She promised to play with Rin."
Sanga looked down at the girl fondly. Lord Sesshomaru's group had recently "joined" forces with the Inutachi, and Rin had bonded with her miko friend quickly.
"I'm sure Lord Sesshomaru is coming back soon Rin, Inuyasha probably knows where he is, go ask him."
"Achoo! ACHOO!"
"Bless you Monk." Miroku groaned in defeat.
The little girl proceeded to ask Inuyasha every two seconds if her lord had returned.
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Kagome huffed as she stuggled to pull the mammoth of a bag out of the well. At her umpteenth failed attempt she had had enough. "This is ridiculous!" she blew her ebony bangs out of her eyes. "Holiday spirit or no, even St. Nick himself didn't have to deal with this!" Her whining was cut short when an arrogant baritone broke through the snow-kissed winter breeze.
"Miko, cease your sniveling."
"Ah! Kami in heaven Sesshomaru! Stop scaring me like that!"
The demon lord narrowed his eyes at her in warning. Oops, forgot his title again, and I said that like it was an order too. Way to go Kagome, piss of the one person-er demon that can help you out of this hellhole.
"I apologize Lord Sesshomaru. Um, if it's not too much trouble, could you give me a hand?" Kagome proceeded to look as humble as possible.
Sesshomaru glared hotly down at the little miko. "No. This Sesshomaru unfortunately has only one to spare thanks to you and that half-breed, and sees no reason to offer it to you."
Did he-…..was that supposed to be a joke?! Kagome's eyes widened. Did Lord Sesshomaru of the Western Lands, the stoic, unfeeling, cold-as-ice taiyoukai just crack a joke? She peeked a look at him.
Nope. He was freaking serious! But…..oh! duh! That's a saying from my time! So he thought..? Pfft! Oh Kami! Kagome couldn't help it, she started laughing.
If Sesshomaru wasn't pissed before well he was now. "Miko, please enlighten this Sesshomaru as to what is so amusing?"
Oh shit! He's gonna kill me! But—I can't stop! "Hahahahahaha! I-I'm s-so pfft! Sorry! Hahaha! She was holding her midsection in blissful agony. And Sesshomaru probably could smell her tears she was laughing so hard. Well, she blew it, but at least she'd die happy.
Before Kagome could dissolve into another fit of laughter, Sesshomaru had jumped down into the well and was now staring her down centimeters from her face and a clawed hand encircling her throat. "Miko, do not try this Sesshomaru, or it will be the last thing you do." His eyes flashed a dangerous crimson that was not much different in color than the blush that now adorned her cheeks. He had never been this close to her before and she lost track of time just looking at his features up close. He has such gorgeous eyes; such a deep gold. How does he keep his hair so flawlesslt clean! It's like silk! He smells like the wild, and pine tress. And those markings, they look so ethereal I just- Kagome reached out in an attempt to touch one curved magenta stripe when a guttural growl woke her from her trance.
Uh oh! Ok. Now it was time to stop. She actually felt a little guilty. He thought she was laughing at his handicap for Kami's sake, even she would be insulted. "Look, I'm really sorry Sessho- Lord Sesshomaru, but you see, "give me a hand" is just a saying from my time, it means I'm asking for your assistance. I'm really sorry if I offended you. In no way do I find your missing arm amusing. Actually I still feel kind of bad about that, not that it hinders your skills at all, but I'm sure no one wishes for that to happen, and I just- Look, could you please help me take this bag out of here? If it makes you feel any better, I'm sure you could do it with one hand while I can't even do it with the two I have."
Sesshomaru raised a silver brow. Wow that was a mouthful Kagome, now he probably thinks you're annoying and will leave you here to freeze. That reminds me! Its freezing! I didn't change out of my uniform yet! She had forgotten all about how cold it was in her attempt to prolong her life. Kagome's teeth began to chatter. She looked up at Sesshomaru hopefully and- he wasn't there! Where'd he go! Did he leave me?! Just freaking great.
Of course Kagome also noticed her yellow bag was no longer at the bottom of the well either. Oh thank Kami! He's not a rotten as I thought he was.
"Miko, what is in this bag of yours?" Sesshomaru cut through her reverie.
As Kagome climbed up and out of the well, she saw Sesshomaru inspecting the contents of her bag. He was examining one of the gifts she had wrapped. It was the first time she had seen him look curious. She smiled and walked over to him. "That's a Christmas present, a gift. Actually the one your holding is for Rin!" That got his attention. "And that's for Shippo and Sango, and Miroku, and this one's for Inuyasha…Oh! This one's yours!" She beamed up at him.
I wonder if Sesshomaru has ever been given a gift before. I don't know him too well, but I hope he can appreciate it. And who knows, maybe as we travel together I could get to know him better.
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Sesshomaru's eyes minutely widened in surprise. The miko intends to give a gift to this Sesshomaru? He had never heard of this custom the Miko spoke of, Cris-mess was it?
He looked over at the Miko who was now walking towards the village alongside him. Why would she assume this Sesshomaru would want a gift from a lowly human miko?
Kagome turned to face him, still beaming with excitement. "I know you wouldn't want a gift from a lowly human miko like me, but please accept it."
"Hn." At least the miko was aware of her status. Only out of curiosity did he attempt to open the shiny package he now held. This Sesshomaru has no need for such foolish things, however I shall indulge in the miko's ridiculous wishes.
Kagome screeched, stopped his hand, and wagged one thin index finger in his face. "Oh, no you don't! You have to wait until Christmas my Lord, its tradition." She said sweetly. Too sweetly perhaps.
He would not be ordered around by some human. "This Sesshomaru does what he pleases; now remove your appendage from my person." He proceeded to tear the wrapping.
"But my Lord it would be quite dishonorable of you to ignore the tradition of this holiday,
Sesshomaru stilled hid hand inches from the package.
and I know you would never do anything that would betray your honor." Kagome was grinning a bit too sweetly now. How dare that wench use this Sesshomaru's honor against him! Clever little miko.
"Fine, this Sesshomaru will wait until the appropriate time." Kagome looked like he had just promised her the world.
"Really? Oh thank you! You have no idea how much this means! I bet Rin will be ecstatic! You want to know what her gift is? Since you know her so well I wanted to ask you what she would think of it."
"Hn." Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow; waiting.
"Well it's-"
" Lord Sesshomaru-sama! Miss Kagome!" A blur of black and orange whizzed past and was now firmly attached to the taiyoukai's leg. "Rin was waiting Lord Sesshomaru, but Lord Inuyasha said you wouldn't come back, but I knew you would!" Little tears spring into the child's eyes. "He said Miss Kagome was having too much fun with her other family to come play with Rin!"
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Kagome heard the little girl's testimony and was more than a little irked. Inuyasha knows he can't tease Rin like that! "Oh Inuyasha! I'm back" He's gonna get it that little-
She looked over at Sesshomaru and actually felt a little worried for her hanyou friend. "Don't worry Lord Sesshomaru, I'll handle this idiot." Inuyasha would thank her later. The demon lord looked half-past homicidal and at least she wouldn't kill him.
"What did you just call me wench?!" Inuyasha emerged from the hut fangs bared.
"Oh nothing Inuyasha! I was just asking Lord Sesshomaru if he'd like to SIT down by the fire and warm up. Yes, I'm sure we'd all like to SIT down and talk some don't you think? Ah, how I love SIT-ting with friends talking about different SIT-uations together. So why don't we all just SIT and enjoy each other's company. I'll SIT. Rin will SIT. Lord Sesshomaru will SIT. Miroku would SIT up. Sango is already SIT-ting, and Kirara is SIT-ting in her lap while Shippo will SIT in mine. I'm sure Kikyou wouldn'y mind SIT-ting herself. And Ah-Un and Jaken would like to SIT and rest I'm sure. Of course you would SIT with us as well Inuyasha. Kagome said with a sickeningly sweet smile plastered on her face.
Shippo howled with laughter. Even Ah-Un looked amused. Jaken was croaking with glee, while Rin looked genuinely concerned as she peeked into the enormous crater. Kikyou had her fingers to the bridge of her nose. Sango shook her head, and Sesshomaru tried his best not to laugh himself, settling with a smirk.
"Dear brother, I urge you to thank the little miko for sparing your life for this Sesshomaru surely would not have."
"Why should I thank that bitch! What the fuck was that for Kagome?!" If he could see past his nose, Inuyasha would have seen Kikyou gave him a dark look of warning.
"Mind your filthy tongue in front of my ward hanyou!" Sesshomary snapped. "The next time I hear of you filling my ward's head with lies I will not hesitate to disembowel you half breed."
Inuyasha became uncharacteristically quiet. Shippo peeked over the crater's edge. "Did he die?"
"Of course not Shippo, he just has nothing to say for once since he's been caught." Kagome stomped back into the hut where Miroku greeted her.
"Ah Lady Kagome, what a pleasure it is to see you! I take it Inuyasha's teasing was properly punished?"
"Oh yes. He won't be picking on little Rin anymore. I actually saved his hide from Sesshomaru. He looked like he was going to tear him to shreds!"
Miroku chuckled, then coughed. His little Kagome had referred to the demon lord once again without a title. She was never one to accept the traditions of this time, but instead added her own to it. He was actually a bit amazed the taiyoukai put up with her.
Achoo! ACHOO! Damn this cold of mine! "Watch that hand Miroku" Kagome growled.
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The ladies and Shippo went off to bathe while the men stayed behind in uncomfortable silence.
Sesshomaru's low timbre broke the silence. "The kit bathes with the miko." As usual, it was a question in the form of a statement. Inuyasha rolled his eyes. "He's bathed with Kagome since she took him into the group. Don't worry, he's not like the damn monk over there, he thinks she's his mother or some shit."
Miroku actually looked offended. "Inuyasha you know I-"
"Oh don't even try to deny it Miroku! I've gotten subdued so many freakin' times just cuz I had to chase after your perverted ass! What had Kagome called us? Creeping Tums or some crap.
"Ahh! Yes, the magical scene of women in the hotspring. The steam erotically flowing-"
"Silence monk, you will remember that my ward is also bathing in that hotspring," Sesshomaru growled.
Miroku didn't say another lecherous thing that night.
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Kagome sighed in contentment as she began unpacking presents and setting them in the corner of the hut. Oh this wouldn't do at all, they needed a tree! As Inuyasha and the gang crowded inside the hut for warmth from the evening chill, Kagome got an idea.
She waited until everyone was asleep, and expertly slipped from beneath Rin and Shippo and out of her sleeping bag. She tiptoed to the door of the hut, but Inuyasha's ears had already swiveled in her direction. "Nnn? Kagome? Whatcha' doin?"
"Bathroom! Go back to sleep Inuyasha." A grunt and the snore that followed told Kagome he hadn't caught the lie.
Kagome stepped into the chilly night (she had put on winter clothes now) and looked around for their silent guardian. "Psst! Sesshomaru!" she hissed into the winter wind.
Aw man! What if he went hunting or something! Hadn't thought of that.
"Should you not be asleep miko?" Kagome jumped. Why did he have to come up behind her like that. She was human, and her heart couldn't take this for much longer.
"Geez! Sesshomaru! This isn't good for my health I'll have you know!"
Something about the innocence of that night must have made him ignore it, or maybe it was the way the moon shone off of Kagome's auburn eyes, but Sesshomaru did not find it pertinent to correct her lack of title once again.
"What is it you require miko?"
"Can't you just call me Kagome? I mean there is more than one miko in our group now, it will probably get confusing. I'm sure it won't kill you."
Sesshomaru didn't look amused. Okaaaaay.... we'll touch back on that issue later.
"Um, Sesshomaru? I need to ask you a favor, and no, I'm not going to Inuyasha, only you can help me with this." The fact that this task was supposedly something his younger brother could not accomplish certainly gained her bonus points.
Sesshomaru raised both brows this time.
"I need to you to cut down a tree for me."
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So this is my first chapter and my first story. :) I've become obsessed with Sesskag to the point that I had to write my own fanfiction, and pollute the writing world with my horrid attempt at storytelling. But i still urge you to comment and leave critiques even though this is just for fun! There will most likely be 12 chapters (12 days of christmas and all that, yeah I know SO original.)
Happy Holidays everyone!
Miss_Clockworks
